Skip to main content

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE Featurette

Why Marvel Might Not Need SDCC Anymore

How will today's confirmation affect the largest geek fest in the world?

Story by Matt Cummings


Even though the insanity that is San Diego Comic-Con makes enjoying the July event a real hassle, it's still clear that studios love the venue for its ability to release big stories to thousands of adoring fans. Together with social media, it's become the most effective (and cheapest) way to get your new television show or movie casting out there.

But in recent years - particularly in 2014 - some studios began to re-think their strategies of waiting until the annual madness to build anticipation. Take Marvel Studios for example, the consistent darling of past conventions and the group particularly responsible for the way the current convention is covered and orchestrated. With their near lack of news last year for either 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy, 2016's Doctor Strange, or even this year's Ant-Man, it was clear that something was either amiss or that the studio hadn't made much progress signing Benedict Cumberbatch or finalizing their Phase 3 lineup.

Then came October 2014, and the now-famous release party with both Kevin Feige and a host of Marvel heroes pimping that same Phase 3. The event was probably made for SDCC, but the details of Cumberbatch (or Joaquin Phoenix, depending on who you talk to) and Edgar Wright's departure from Ant-Man made it impossible to do. What we got was far more exciting.


With confirmation on Monday that Marvel would not be hosting any events in Hall H, it might not need to come back. The news sent ripples throughout the InterWebs, as fans who had already paid for SDCC passes were expecting to see Marvel's yearly spectacle reborn after last year's dud. And yet, it's not all that surprising that they made this decision. In simple terms, Marvel Studios no longer needs SDCC, for a variety of reasons:

They do it better than SDCC
The El Capitan event proved that Marvel can do big scale in small-scale venues. They can bring their talent, a few nice title cards, some music, and a very nice Infinity War preview that brought down the house. It's no longer necessary for them to wait until July, making their announcements more timely and thus more effective.

Creative Control
If you've ever attended SDCC, you know about the long lines, the high cost of food and water, and the smell of young people who haven't showered in 2 days. Marvel has demonstrated their acumen to stage big events in smaller venues like El Capitan, without worrying about crowd control or a host of things SDCC just doesn't get right anymore. That's better for us and Marvel's talent, although SDCC might be on suicide watch by now.

Someone else can (and must) step in to fill the void
This exit gives other studios like Warner Bros. the chance to take center stage, to demonstrate that they can generate the same buzz of their competition, with their planned expansion of the DCCU. Titles like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman are all alluring tentpoles, and without Marvel at SDCC this will give WB's CEO Kevin Tsujihara a chance to prove himself. But will he be able to outdo Tom Hiddleston taking over Hall H in 2013, commanding the crowd to chant his name as he revealed Thor 2 and eventually Guardians of the Galaxy? Unless Henry Cavill literally flies in as The Man of Steel, it will be hard to supersede Robert Downey Jr's Tony Stark ruling the crowd back in 2009.

And honestly, it's time someone else demonstrate their marketing prowess. Marvel can't have all marketing geniuses on Planet Earth. If WB/DC takes the reins and wows the crowd with an Avengers-like lineup photo, it could ultimately bring Marvel back. A little competition is good for the soul (and for smelly comic book fans).

If it fails, that doesn't mean the end of the world, but we still want to see DC try. Thanks Marvel for the memories, but it's time for a change. Bring it on, WB/DC.

Discuss this story with fellow SJF fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms, and follow author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

New Clip & Release Date For Chaos Walking Starring Tom Holland & Daisy Ridley

In the not too distant future, Todd Hewitt ( Tom Holland ) discovers Viola ( Daisy Ridley ), a mysterious girl who crash lands on his planet, where all the women have disappeared and the men are afflicted by “the Noise” – a force that puts all their thoughts on display. In this dangerous landscape, Viola’s life is threatened – and as Todd vows to protect her, he will have to discover his own inner power and unlock the planet’s dark secrets. .   In theater & IMAX March 5th.   Discuss this with fellow SJF fans on Facebook . On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms Please Leave A Comment-

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania Trailer

In the film, which officially kicks off phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Super-Hero partners Scott Lang ( Paul Rudd ) and Hope Van Dyne ( Evangeline Lilly ) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne ( Michelle Pfeiffer ), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. Jonathan Majors joins the adventure as Kang. Director Peyton Reed returns to direct the film; Kevin Feige and Stephen Broussard produce.     Discuss this with fellow SJF fans on Facebook . On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms Please Leave A Comment-

Sex Tape Review: Overly Sexual, Rude, Vulgar, and Absolutely Hilarious

The raunchy Sex Tape will divide audiences and critics, but who cares? Sex Tape suggests a growing practice among loving partners: that of making a raunchy testament of their escapades for posterity. But what happens when that evidence gets seen by friends, neighbors, and even the mailman? This is the plot that pits Jay (Jason Segel) and Annie (Cameron Diaz) in an effort to secure every iPad gift Jay has given, his record company playlists being the envy of the recipients, but which has also inadvertently spread the video to every device. The reason for the act - termed in the movie as pulling "the full Lincoln " for its three-hour length - stems from the couple's non-existent social life, brought on by the constant demands of their children. The couple has a lot to lose: a burgeoning business relationship between Annie and Hank (Rob Lowe) could end if the iPad she's given to Hank exposes the video, and so the couple sets out to reclaim and wipe the incrim